Charming Photos and Uplifting Writings

Posts tagged ‘Queen Anne’s Revenge’

I appreciate the opportunity to take a vacation, get away, reconnect with family and friends, and relax without worries. I truly believe in many vacations throughout the year to clear the cobwebs out of the head. I have discovered on vacations that I can be perfectly happy with the basics of few clothes, walking, writing, taking pictures and laughter with family and friends. In today’s society, it is encouraged to work, work, and work, but stress can take its toll on the mind and body. Some are blessed to find a job they truly enjoy, and the feeling of productivity can be inspiring, but others are thankful for employment, and remain in constant search for something missing in their lives. That search for comfort, excitement, and acceptance. So, what if I could find a job near my favorite vacation spot, which would financially support, living in the area I enjoy? That’s an idea!

Well, everyday living does not always match the way we would dream, but I can put those dreams into writing and be the character I create. I can still make time to walk and pretend I’m walking near my favorite scene. I can remind myself when I am working and worrying over bills that can stress me; I am putting aside funds that will be used wisely for my next vacation and adventure.

It is those unique moments with family, friends, and favorite adventures that will add strength, courage, and the ability to dream that makes those typical, stressful, working days seem worth the effort.

Ocracoke Adventure

My last adventure took me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Ocracoke Island. I enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the sun and beach. It’s a place to walk, bike ride, to fish and to socialize with locals and others vacationing from different parts beyond the island. I found interest to review the history of the island related to the state in which I live. Ocracoke Island is a barrier island about 16 miles long and can only be obtained by ferry. Blackbeard the Pirate made the island known as his hangout and hideaway. Blackbeard sailed from the Caribbean to the Virginia Capes robbing ships. In November 1718, Blackbeard the Pirate was said to have been captured near Ocracoke Island by Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the British Navy. The Governor of Virginia sent the Lt Maynard to command a sloop and find Blackbeard. It is said; he killed the pirate in a bloody duel, captured 15 crewmen and Blackbeard’s head was taken triumphantly to Hampton. Blackbeard’s death supposedly marked the end of a large-scale of piracy on the Atlantic Coast. So, when the island was established as a port around 1715 to promote trade and navigation around the coast, it became safer as a shipping port. Around the late 1700’s the Ocracoke Lighthouse was built and remains to be the oldest continuous lighthouse of North Carolina. In the 1800’s, Ocracoke Island became a vital shipping port.

Fort Ocracoke

There’s more to the history of Ocracoke Island than just the legends of pirates. The island has served as an asset during the Revolutionary War with its hazardous waters that prevented the British warships from guarding the inlet. There are evidences of a fort submerged in the Ocracoke inlet. There is also the British Cemetery of four British seamen of the armed trawler HMS Bedfordshire. The HMS Bedfordshire served, on loan to the US Navy from Great Britain to help protect our shores during the early part of World War II.

British Cemetery

I enjoy listening to locals share stories and legends passed down related to the wild ponies. The wild ponies that roam the island were supposedly brought over by Sir Walter Raleigh and left on the Roanoke Island at the same time of the mysterious colony that disappeared, also known as The Lost Colony.

Well, I guess I could go on and on, but I’ll bring my vacation to an end as I return to the daily responsibilities of home. I’m inspired, it’s time to create and have some more moments in my journey to treasure!

Each day brings new opportunities. This morning was a pleasant break in the heat of June. The weather provided a refreshing morning to enjoy the outdoors. Taking a walk gets the blood pumping and thoughts racing. I think about stories told to me way back when, stories I’ve read, and stories I am writing.

Several years ago in a small town of the south, a house was leveled after the property went to the state with no family to inherit. A surprising discovery of a body was uncovered that was buried under the house. The body had been there over 40 years, and rumor was he had run off with his mistress.

That news article has now given me ideas to expand on the story. Small towns of the south can be filled with mystery. Maybe that is why there are so many legends of pirates, especially Blackbeard and ghost stories with no explanation. Some folks have captured these legends and stories for others to read, but I will have to say when I was a child, they were more intriguing when I heard the old-timers tell them on the waterfront. Their accent, pauses, and facial expressions brought those stories to life, and they were embedded into my memories as if I were there watching the events play out. I don’t hear those stories told as much these days, but I still enjoy remembering and sharing with my children. Today with our technology, I can Google those stories, but the realness of being told has faded over the years. It wasn’t like the horror stories and movies of today, no scare of death. These stories, filled with mystery and unexplained results could keep me on the edge of my seat, focused and wanting to hear more and more. It is a time that has passed, but still alive in the memories of some to be shared.

Within the state of North Carolina, I found the legend of the small town of Bath to be intriguing. A curse placed upon the town by Reverend Whitefield. A town that was prospering with its ports and merchants and supposedly the corrupting influence of Blackbeard the pirate (legend has it; that his gold is still buried there), this Reverend was not welcomed with what he had to say to the people. The folks of the town chased him from Bath and told him that he was never to return. Legend has it; he brushed the dust of the town from his shoes and cursed the town that it will never grow. Today, the town remains small with exceedingly little growth. It was the town of Little Washington that began to thrive with its merchants and ports after the town of Bath was cursed.

I can remember listening to the story being told, and it took longer to be told than written. I truly miss the storytellers of the past and their creative inspiration that gave way to my imagination that left a lasting memory.